In a mud-brick pyramid on the coast of Peru, elaborate reliefs tell a gory tale of human sacrifice and offer insights into the Moche culture, which vanished 500 years before the Inca.

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They Who Were About to Die

For prisoners of the Moche, Huaca Cao Viejo's elaborate art was likely among the last sights they saw. Naked, bleeding, and bound with nooses, they were led into the ceremonial plaza. Perhaps they heard the Pacific surf rolling onto the beach in the distance; perhaps all they heard was the pounding of their own hearts. Once inside they witnessed one of history's most gruesome sacrificial rites. A Moche priest adorned in gold slit their throats one by one. Those in line who didn't turn away or faint saw a priestess catch the blood in a golden goblet for the priest to drink. Scholars know about these ceremonies by studying Moche artwork, like the frieze of naked prisoners discovered on Huaca Cao Viejo's plaza wall. Bones of sacrifice victimsincorporated into the frieze and buried under the plaza floorshow evidence of extreme torture before the grisly executions. Still debated: Were the prisoners locals or foreigners captured in battle?

In More to Explore the National Geographic magazine team shares some of its best sources and other information. Special thanks to the Research Division.

Some of the only clues about Moche culture were left behind in their art. The Moche, who lived before the Inca, thrived within the lower river valleys along northern Peru's coastline. This river valley environmentrich in clay and metalsprovided the Moche with tools to create extensive artistic traditions. Fortunately their art provides archaeologists with evidence to interpret and understand Moche culture. No written records were kept by the people, nor was there a predominant written language.

Nora Gallagher

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